No matter how good you are at writing, it is important to have your work reviewed by someone else. Your mom tells you your story is perfect, your kids ask, "Where's the pictures?" and your best friend will giggle at the story with you over a bottle of wine. That's fine, but do you wonder what a published writer thinks of your story?

For the first week of each month, Rate Your Story will accept completed manuscripts that meet the criteria outlined in the submissions guidelines. The manuscripts are then critiqued by volunteer, published authors for FREE and returned in about 14 days. The story is rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the highest rating.

Along with the rating service, Rate Your Story also has a very informative blog.

I submitted my rhyming, picture book manuscript to Rate Your Story at the beginning of August. I'm excited, yet nervous, about getting my story rated. It was recently tweeted by @RateYourStory that almost all the manuscripts from August are returned and to check our inbox. I've checked....and checked and nothing yet, but I'm sure it will be done soon.

Thank you to all the Rate Your Story, volunteers judges for taking the time to help writers like myself.

When we reached the top and I saw the view, I let out a yell. What made me yell? No, I'm not afraid of heights.

It wasn't this.

Niagara Falls, USA.

Or this.

Dino Mini Putt

But actually this!

More specifically this!

It's an upside down house! Why did this make me yell? In my picture book manuscript, ANNALEE FRILL, the main character lives in an upside down house. I was so excited that one actually existed I yelled to my sister to take a picture. Being the wonderful person that she is, she got the best picture she could. This house is exactly how I pictured Annalee's house, except it would be on an upside down hill. If you want to learn more about the upside down house in Niagara Falls you can visit their site at http://www.upsidedownhouseniagarafalls.ca/

Unfortunately, I was unable to go to the house during our visit but we don't live too far from Niagara so I will be sure to go next time I'm there. Looking for the ANNALEE FRILL picture book? Well, it's not published yet. I'm currently looking for a publisher or agent. When it does get published, I will be sure to get a picture of me with my book in front of the house. I look forward to that day!